Pneumothorax revisited - what a difference a year makes!

[dodgylungrunner]

This time last year I was in hospital after a small underlying pneumothorax became a substantial partial lung collapse. A big set back at the time just after a positive lung consultation and introductory physio appointment where I was told to just keep doing what I was doing in terms of exercise.

After some time in hospital including a nasty chest drain, I slowly got myself back on the road to recovery. It wasn't easy at first while spending time on the ward with others whose lung conditions are much more advanced than mine had opened my eyes to what my future might be like and this scared me.

However, over time I've built myself back up and despite a few recent set backs with the chest infections I feel like I'm back on top of things. On Friday I ran my fastest 5k in some time and I've set myself the target of being in the best possible shape ahead of my next lung function and 6 monthly check-up at the lung clinic.

One of my new year's resolutions this year was to be more selfish by putting me and my health at the top of my priority list. Things are going well so far and making going to the gym and eating as healthily as possible is paying huge dividends. I cannot tell you just how much better I feel for exercising regularly - it's helped get the mucus moving and the endorphin kick has given me a real boost mentally.

[2greys]

Congratulations. Your last paragraph struck a real chord with me and support your conclusions wholeheartedly, I have found the same, even though I can't exercise to anywhere near your levels. Keep up the good work.

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to 2greys]

Thanks 2greys! I'm glad you feel the same about the exercise. It really does make a huge difference to me both physically and mentally. Sometimes I get a bit down that I can't do what I used to but at the same time it lifts me to know that I'm doing something proactive to help my lungs when so much is beyond my control.

[Hidden]

Hi Dodgy! Sounds like you have the year off to a great start and glad to hear all your efforts are helping your mental, as well as physical, health. So sorry to hear all you've been through but have to add that I'm very, very impressed with your positive attitude- it should take you far (it's something I'm struggling with terribly at the moment). Keep up the good work and best of luck at your next check up. xx

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden I certainly can't complain with 2019 so far! I'm a positive person generally but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't struggle, too, from time to time. It's the mental side that I struggle with most and I think that's caused by the uncertainty of what lies ahead. There's also something very frustrating and hard to accept about the fact that there isn't much that can really be done to stop what's happening. I think that's why I chuck myself in to all the exercise. Anything I can do to control what's happening, the better.

Really sorry to hear that you're struggling at the moment. Had you considered calling the BLF helpline to talk through everything? They might be able to point you in the direction of some support. I know that the Breathe Easy groups are also really beneficial for many though I've yet to go to one personally.

[corriena]

Well done you i do love a posative attitude, and because of your attitude to life you are helping to slow down your lung disease. And you may never progress to as bad as your fellow patients. Keep up the good work you are doing realy well

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to corriena]

Thanks corriena I hope you're also well at the moment? Anything I can do to slow down my lung disease has got to be a good thing but it's a fine balance sometimes as I don't want to overdo it and give myself another pneumothorax/use up all my energy which is obviously not quite what it was.

[cofdrop-UK]

🙂🙂🙂👍. Great uplifting post for January DLR. You look like a different man, so it’s all paying off for you. Good on ya.

Cx

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thanks cofdrop-UK ! I definitely feel better for the exercise though I'd be lying if I didn't say that I struggle from time to time - especially mentally. Funnily enough the exercise is sometimes a bit of a double edged sword as while it's good for my lungs and also my soul it can also be a bit depressing sometimes as it reminds me of what I can't do any more!

[sassy59]

What an inspiration you are Andy. Keep going and doing all you can to stay well.

Wishing you all the best. Xxx 😘

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to sassy59]

I'll keep plugging away sassy59 ! After a spell of infections I'm pleased to be in a position where I'm able to get back in the gym to be honest. The daily dose of doxycycline as a base line antibiotic appears to be doing it's job!

[sassy59 in reply to dodgylungrunner]

👍😘 good news Andy xxxx

[Katinka46]

So pleased to hear all this. And — yes! —- you must prioritise your health. You are no use to anybody unless you do. And it is not selfish. We need you fit and well o continue doing do what you do for BLF and for us.

So... go for for it, young man.

Love and hugs

Kate xxx 🏃‍♂️🦓🦓

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Katinka46]

Thanks so much for your support as ever Katinka46 ! I completely agree that prioritising health isn't selfish really. I think it's just hard making the adjustment as my default position is to put others first as I get great satisfaction from that. Really hope you're well - it's so important that we all keep carrying the fight and supporting one another.

[Hacienda]

Fantastic Andy, An Inspiration to us all, I am so Happy for you. Love n Hugs XXXX

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Hacienda]

I do my best Hacienda though I'm not always on top form! Hope you're well and wish you all the very best going forwards - we're all in this together and I'm super keen to get the community going to help raise awareness and funds to help beat this horrible disease!

[Caspiana]

😊👍😁

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks for reading Caspiana ! I hope you're well?

[Hidden]

Good for you!! Well done 👍

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hidden ! I hope you're also well and living up to your username?

[Hidden in reply to dodgylungrunner]

Happy yes but well is a different matter 😃

[mikeadams51]

Well done mate. Keep up the good work

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to mikeadams51]

Thanks mikeadams51 ! I'll keep plugging away as best I can as I know we all do. It can be tough sometimes but it's great that we've got this community here to help pick each other up when we're down. Hope you're well and having a good start to the year?

[mikeadams51 in reply to dodgylungrunner]

So far so good

[Izb1]

Now this is nice to read Andy, that you have gone through so much yet maintained a good attitude and it sounds like you are winning. Well done to you and keep up the good work x

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Izb1]

Doing my best Izb1 ! Hard to say whether I'm winning or not really as it's been a while since my last lung check up and a full set of lung testing. I'll know a lot more when I go in to clinic next month. However, someone told me that it wasn't all about the numbers and that actually what was more important is how you feel in yourself and right now I feel a lot better than I have done, physically, in a few months. Being infection free and able to go to the gym again certainly plays a huge part in that.

[Dedalus]

Great news - well done. Hope its ok to ask what your FEV1 level is?

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Dedalus]

Hi Dedalus , I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know what my current FEV1 level is as it's been a while since my last appointment. The numbers were really important to me when I first start attending clinic a few years ago but then someone told me that was what was more important is how you feel in yourself. That really struck a chord and since I've been a lot more relaxed about the results and based things more on how I feel than the numbers alone.

That said, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the rate of progression. I have my next clinic next month and so will have an accurate FEV1 then which I'm more than happy to share.

Hope you're well and wish you all the best going forwards.

[Dedalus in reply to dodgylungrunner]

Great, thanks - look fwd to hear your FEV1 level next month (just curious, as you've done so well). All best wishes

[Rattle]

How good to see this positive post and result, inspirational. Thanks!

Very well done and best of luck with your plans ahead

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Rattle]

I'm doing my best Rattle ! Thanks so much for reading and all the best to you, too, for the year ahead.

[Candyred]

Brilliant post! I love positivity.. stay focused huge hugs xx